Men wanted for attack outside the Slug and Lettuce in Southchurch Road

POLICE have released a CCTV image of two men they want to speak to in connection with the stabbing of a 24-year-old man in Southend.

The victim, from the Rayleigh area, was stabbed in the abdomen near The Slug and Lettuce bar on Southchurch Road shortly before 2am on Sunday, March 16. He is currently in a critical, but stable condition.

Det Ch insp Simon Werrett, said: "We haven’t yet established why this man was attacked, but have now looked through local CCTV recordings and identified these two men as potential suspects.

"We ask people to look at the image and contact us with their names. The image is reasonably clear so we are confident that their loved ones or friends will recognise them.

"These two men could have returned to their homes in the early hours of Sunday morning with blood on their body or clothes.”

Anyone with information in connection with the stabbing can call detectives at Southend police station on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.